Conn. Wing Searchers Locate Missing Boaters' Vessel

A Connecticut Wing aircrew on Monday spotted the hull of a beached boat belonging to a pair of Connecticut boaters who remain missing.

A Connecticut Wing aircrew spotted the vessel’s hull on the shore on the Long Island coastline, about five miles west of Greenport, New York. The Coast Guard subsequently determined that it was the boat the missing pair had been sailing when they were last seen early Sunday.

The search for the two began Sunday afternoon. It was suspended Monday evening as darkness began falling.

In all, 15 Connecticut Wing members, two CAP planes, four aircrews, one ground team and several mission-based staff participated in the search. CAP aircrews spent over 12 hours in the air during the mission.

In addition, while returning to base at the end of the day one aircrew spotted an idle 25-foot vessel leaking fuel oil and reported it to the Coast Guard.

Col. James Ridley Sr., Connecticut Wing commander, led the CAP incident command team for the search mission.